title: Gastro esophageal reflux: an over investigated entity in neonates and infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the outcome of clinically suspected gastro esophageal reflux in neonates and infants. To find a protocol for evaluation of these patients in order to reduce unnecessary radiation to neonates and infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty three neonates and infants of up to 1 year of age with clinical suspicion of gastro esophageal reflux (GER) were referred for Upper gastro intestinal barium studies. This retrospective descriptive case study was carried out over a period of one year starting from October, 2006 to September, 2007. Positive cases were followed for another one year to see the final outcome. The neonate and infants of upto one year of age, referred from Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Paediatric ward and Out Patient Department (OPD) were included in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 53 cases 32 were positive for G.E.R and no reflux could be identified in rest of the patients. Out of these positive cases only 4 had massive or severe G.E.R. These patients were prescribed conservative and medical treatment and were advised to follow up in the O.P.D where on subsequent follow ups the medical treatment was stopped as there were no further complaints .These patients showed normal weight gain on subsequent O.P.D visits. Other positive cases only had mild to moderate G.E.R and they were managed conservatively. These patients showed normal weight gain on subsequent O.P.D visits with complete resolution of symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regurgitation or gastro esophageal reflux is a common finding in the first 3 months of life (especially in preterm infants) and usually resolves by 6-12 months of age and should not be over investigated.
authors.affiliation: Medical Imaging Department, King Abdul Aziz Hospital, National Guard Health Affairs, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Zahid Anwar
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Sarfraz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Muhammad Younus
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Sheikh
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D011899:Ranitidine